Quick answer: South University is based in Savannah, Georgia, and offers online degrees from associate to doctoral level. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which since September 1, 2026 uses the public name The Commission on Colleges and Universities. Most online associate and bachelor’s programs cost $475 per quarter credit. In September 2026, Perdoceo Education Corporation agreed to buy South, but the sale is pending and not completed.
At a glance
| Type and location | Savannah, GA. South is incorporated as a nonprofit, but the Department of Education listed it as for-profit for 2024–25. The College Scorecard shows its online unit, “South University-Savannah Online,” as private for-profit. |
|---|---|
| Accreditor | SACSCOC (public name: The Commission on Colleges and Universities), for associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Accredited through 2034, according to Perdoceo. |
| Online degree levels | Associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral |
| Online tuition per quarter credit | Most associate and bachelor’s programs $475. Graduate $415 to $695. |
| Price differs by residency? | No difference stated |
Example online programs
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master in Public Health
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Doctor of Business Administration
Cost
South charges by the quarter credit, not the semester credit. A quarter credit is about two-thirds of a semester credit, so compare prices with care.
| Online program | Tuition per quarter credit |
|---|---|
| Most associate and bachelor’s programs | $475 |
| RN to BSN | $255 |
| MBA, MS Leadership and some other graduate programs | $415 |
| DNP | $650 |
| MSN | $660 |
| DBA, MHA and some other graduate programs | $695 |
The catalog does not print an effective date for these online rates. Rates change, so confirm the price with South and use its net price calculator.
Results (College Scorecard)
| Measure | South University-Savannah Online | South University-Savannah (campus) | Midpoint for 4-year colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 17% | 37% | 59% |
| Average annual cost | $26,966 | $26,704 | $19,899 |
| Median earnings | $68,975 | $68,975 | $60,428 |
The graduation rate counts all students who started at the school, including part-time and transfer students, and finished within 8 years. The average annual cost is the net price after grants for full-time, first-time students who get federal aid. Median earnings are for former students who got federal aid, measured 4 years after they finished.
Things to know
- 2022: South University is listed on Exhibit C of the Sweet settlement, which the court noted is not a finding of misconduct.
Changes since 2017
- 2017: Education Management Corp. sold South University (and the Art Institutes) to Dream Center Education Holdings.
- Early 2019: South moved to the Education Principle Foundation.
- July 15, 2023: South separated from the foundation and became an independent institution. It announced this on August 3, 2023.
- September 14, 2026 (pending sale): Perdoceo Education Corporation signed a definitive agreement to buy South. Perdoceo also owns American InterContinental University.
The pending sale to Perdoceo
The sale is pending. It is not completed.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | About $130–140 million at closing, plus $18 million deferred and up to $56 million in earn-outs |
| Status change | South would convert “from non-profit to for-profit status” |
| Expected closing | As early as April 2027 |
| Approvals still needed | U.S. Department of Education, SACSCOC, programmatic accreditors, state agencies and state attorney general review |
If you are a current or new student, ask South how the sale could affect your program and your tuition.
Before you enroll
- Ask what the pending sale means for your program, tuition and financial aid.
- Convert quarter credits before you compare prices. See How Much Does an Online Degree Cost?
- Get the current per-credit rate for your program in writing.
- Ask how many of your past credits will transfer.
- Check accreditation (What Is Accreditation) and compare schools with our online college checklist.
More: Choosing a College: Start Here · Online Degrees: Start Here
Sources
- South University: Institutional accreditation
- CHEA: SACSCOC changes name
- South University catalog: Tuition
- Business Wire: Perdoceo signs definitive agreement to acquire South University (September 2026)
- Higher Ed Dive: Perdoceo to acquire South University
- South University: South University independent again (August 2023)
- Federal Student Aid: Sweet settlement school list (Exhibit C)
- U.S. District Court: Order granting final settlement approval (November 2022)
- U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard, South University-Savannah Online and South University-Savannah
- U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard glossary
Last checked: November 6, 2026.
